Niko Kovač Satisfied as Austrian Training Camp Ends

Croatia head coach Niko Kovač is satisfied with the work done at the Austrian training camp over the past week as the side return to Croatia on Friday…

The Croatian national football team will leave Bad Tatzmannsdorf and head for Osijek today, where they will play a friendly match with Mali on Saturday.

“I feel satisfied. We have seen that the players are exhausted and slowed down a little, but they are devoted to the task and have shown a great desire. The atmosphere within the team is excellent, let it stay so”, said head coach Niko Kovač.

Kovač, who will announce the 23 players who will travel to Brazil after Saturday’s match, has singled out Getafe’s midfielder Sammir as one who has impressed during the week-long camp. HSV Hamburg’s Milan Badelj will be told in Osijek if he has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury on Thursday. Luka Modrić joins the side on Friday in Osijek after been given a few days off after playing in the Champions League final on Saturday .

“We have some strengths and some weaknesses. We are all trying to improve. First, we have to deal with Mali and Australia in friendly matches, and then we can start preparing for Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico”, continued Kovač.

Croatia will depart for Brazil on Monday. (pic: Drago Sopta)